National Minimum Wage

Baroness Wheatcroft Excerpts

Monday 19th October 2015 Lords Chamber

[The Earl of Courtown]

My Lords, the noble Lord is only too well aware of the issue, since he was part of the party that joined us in coalition in the previous Government that reduced claimants of tax credits from nine out of 10 families to six out of 10 families. The fact is that we are doubling free childcare for working parents—we are giving 30 hours of free childcare—and we are also introducing tax-free childcare from 2017.

[Baroness Wheatcroft (Con)]

My Lords, one of the perverse effects of tax credits was to encourage people to work only part-time. As the Minister pointed out, this economy has created a remarkable number of jobs. Is it not a fact that many of those who will be suffering if their tax credits are cut will be encouraged and helped to find full-time work?

[The Earl of Courtown]

My noble friend makes some good points. Recent employment figures show the greatest number of people ever in work. We have more young people in work and we have more women in work.